"We all worked together": the players' reactions

The players of the Reds gave a naturally positive assessment of Benfica's first-ever win over Bayern Munich, by 1-0, which earned them top spot in Group C of the Club World Cup and qualification for the last 16. The match from matchday 3 of the group stage took place on Tuesday, June 24, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Speaking to the BTV and DAZN microphones during quick interviews, as well as in the mixed zone, Schjelderup, Trubin, António Silva, Pavlidis, Bajrami and João Rego said they were proud to make history and achieve their goal of topping the group, showing confidence and ambition for the future in the competition.

SCHJELDERUP

"I scored a good goal, it's a great feeling"

"It was a very difficult game against one of the strongest opponents in the world. To come out of this game with a 1-0 win is the best we could have had. [Feeling of scoring] It was incredible. I've been nagging Fredy [Aursnes] every day to pass me the ball, and finally he passed me the ball [smiles], and I was there at the right moment and got a good goal, it's a great feeling. [The feeling of winning] Of course it's an incredible feeling, we wanted to come here and win the game and the group. It was the best thing we could have done, we managed to do it, and I'm very proud of the team for getting the 3 points and winning the group. [Adverse weather] Of course it's very hot, and it's the same for everyone, but you just have to get over it. It's the same for everyone, as I said. Today [Tuesday, June 24], I think I managed the heat well, I don't think I've ever played in such heat before. I don't think it's healthy, to be honest, but I got through it, the team got through it, and we're all very happy. [Help the team] Of course I want to play every game, win everything at Benfica and, of course, score goals and help the team. That's the most important thing. I just want to play soccer and be happy. [Importance of the goal] It was a very important goal for me and the team, to go top of the group and progress in the tournament. This was the most important thing, so we're very happy. We had some difficult moments last season and also at the start of the year, but we got through it, and I'm very happy to be top of the group. [How far Benfica can go] Everyone has the same chance of winning, and our goal is to win, so we'll take each game as it comes, and we'll do our best. [Secret of victory] We had to be effective, because Bayern are a very strong team with incredible players, so we have to be effective to take our chances and also defend like warriors, and that's what we did today [Tuesday]. Our defense was incredible, all of them, and Trubin too, so all credit to them."

TRUBIN

"We gave everything to win"

"[The FIFA Player of the Match award] I don't even know what to say, I'm happy. Our biggest goal was to reach the next stage, and we did it, we all worked together. So I'm very, very happy. [How you feel] Of course everyone congratulated me, but I feel extremely tired, it was so hot. It was a very difficult game against a fantastic team. Not just me, but the whole team, we gave everything to win. You saw the temperature, it was extremely hot. We did our job to get through to the next round. [Feeling of being 1st in the group] I don't feel anything, I'm so tired, I don't feel anything, I just want to rest, to be ready for the next game."

ANTÓNIO SILVA

"We were warriors in there"

"[Message from Otamendi] We were warriors in there. I think Nico [Otamendi] told me a bit about his feelings during the game, and we fought to the death for the result. [Signal for other teams?] No, none of them. Everyone knows about our quality, it doesn't matter if we started the group with a draw against Boca and ended up beating Bayern Munich. I think we've shown throughout the season that, in difficult times, we've been able to overcome ourselves. It's a very special victory, because it's Benfica's first against Bayern Munich, and that's very special for us. [Next opponent] Now, the most important thing is to recover. [Florentino's return?] Tino is a very important player for us, and has very special characteristics for a midfield player. We want to count on everyone, and Tino will certainly help us a lot. We don't know if he'll be able to do it or not, but I hope so."

PAVLIDIS

"The whole team did very well"

"It was a very difficult game, we knew Bayern were a very good team. Today [Tuesday, June 24] was also very hot, the pitch felt like a sauna, and we had to fight against both things. But, in the end, we played a good game and took the 3 points. We played well in the first half, created two or three good chances to score and got a goal. In the 2nd half, of course we were a bit further back, we had to play in a low block to keep the zero in front of us, and that's what we did. Trubin also had a very good day, but the whole team, also all the defenders and all the midfielders defended very well in the 2nd half, and we won a very important victory. [More aggressive, as the coach asked] We want to win every game, that's what Benfica is all about, winning. Now we have to enjoy 1st place in the group because it was a difficult group stage. We have to be focused for the next game, whoever it's against. We're celebrating today's win [Tuesday] because it was a great victory, and we got 1st place in the group stage. Let's see who the next opponent will be, and we'll fight again to go through."

BAJRAMI

"We want to win every game"

"Obviously, it was a special win, a very important win, we played a great game, especially in the first half. The second half was a little more difficult, but we defended well, we knew how to suffer and we managed to win the game.[Ambition in the competition] We're dreaming... We're Benfica, it's game by game, we want to win every game, and that's our mentality. [Support] The fans are the most important. They mean everything to us. The most important thing is their support, and we want to make everyone happy. [Trubin's display] Yes, especially in the 2nd half, he made at least 4 or 5 very important saves. He's a special goalkeeper, we're all very happy with him. [Time spent on the pitch] The most important thing for me is to help the team, and I managed to help in the last few moments. The team is the most important thing for me."

JOÃO REGO

"I joined and was able to help with the duels"

"It was a great game from both teams. We created a lot of chances, and so did they. I think we were very good defensively. We ended up scoring first, and we were able to manage the game and hold on to the lead. [1st place secured] We always play to win. When we entered this competition, our goal was to come 1st in the group, and we did it. [Historic win] Of course we did. They're a great team, we knew we'd never managed to beat Bayern. We ended up making history and taking first place in the group. [Individual performance] I was pleased with my performance. The game was tough, it was a game of duels. I played well, won almost all the duels and managed to help the team."